Updated: Hospitals in Yucatan

We are fortunate in Merida to have a number of fine hospitals and clinics to choose from, and in this article, we will do our best to list and describe the hospitals in Merida so that you can make an informed choice.

What is A Tercer Nivel Hospital?

One thing to understand is that in Mexico (and other places like Cuba, Spain and some other Latin countries), hospitals are designated according to levels: First, Second and Third Level Hospitals (hospitales de primer nivel, segundo nivel, tercer nivel). While these designations are not used in the USA or Canada (as far as we know... not generally, anyway), these are common references in Mexico. A hospital de tercer nivel in Mexico is one that provides all the services that we would associate with a top hospital: doctors and specialists on staff, surgery facilities, recovery rooms and any number of additional specialized treatment facilities. It is a hospital that is able to provide integrated care for whatever ails you, and it is usually also a teaching hospital. A secondary level hospital is characterized by the ability to provide surgical and recovery facilities, as well as providing the services of specialists, but without emergency facilities. A first-level hospital provides care for patients without serious injury, usually has testing equipment, monitoring equipment and provides First Aid. After being seen at a first-level hospital, you might be referred to a second- or third-level hospital for further treatment. As you can see, the levels have nothing to do with quality, but rather quantity and breadth of facilities and care.

Expatriate Hospital Experiences

We know many expatriates that have been cared for in the various hospitals around Merida, and have mostly heard very good things from them all. We see and hear about stories like this all the time:

"Posted January 20, 2014, at 12:13 PM by Yolisto member Dave_in_Ont

...I have just gotten the clearance to head back to Chelem after a 4 day stay at the Centro Medico Americano in Progreso. I thought I had pulled a groin muscle last Wednesday, went to the hospital on Thursday to have it checked out. They did x-rays on the spot and it turned out I had broken my hip. An orthopedic surgeon, from Merida, did a hip joint replacement on Friday morning and I am outta here today (Monday), using a walker, as soon as I pay the bill!!! The surgery was performed at CMA in Progreso. I couldn't have asked for better service or care. Virtually every doctor and nurse spoke some English and with my limited Spanish we got along just fine.
For those who might be curious... At my age with pre-existing conditions and for the length of time we spend in Mexico, private medical insurance is way too expensive. I paid for this procedure on a credit card, which will be totally reimbursed by my Ontario health insurance once I submit all the paperwork, including X-rays. Total cost was 77,000 pesos or appx. $6500. AND the procedure was done within 14 hours of the diagnosis. Pretty quick service!"

You can also read about various expatriate experiences in healthcare in our Health Section on this website.

For U.S. comparisons, consider the information in this article in the New York Times. Here's a quote from that article, where the person in question chose to go to Brussels for his hip replacement, but many of the facts are relevant no matter where outside of the USA you decide to go:

"“Very leery” of going to a developing country like India or Thailand, which both draw so-called medical tourists, he ultimately chose to have his hip replaced in 2007 at a private hospital outside Brussels for $13,660. That price included not only a hip joint, made by Warsaw-based Zimmer Holdings, but also all doctors’ fees, operating room charges, crutches, medicine, a hospital room for five days, a week in rehab and a round-trip ticket from America.

“We have the most expensive health care in the world, but it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best,” Mr. Shopenn said. “I’m kind of the poster child for that.” "

Hospital and Clinic Choices in Yucatan

Whether you are going for a minor issue, elective surgery or major surgical procedures, cancer treatment or any other medical treatment, it is good to know what your options are regarding medical care in Merida and how things are done in Yucatan and Mexico.

Unlike in the USA, you do not necessarily have to go to a hospital for surgery. In Merida, there are about twenty different clinics that also provide surgical and recovery services. (A clinic is similar to a second level hospital, but usually it only provides for one specialty, such as Obstetrics or Cancer Treatment. A second level hospital will provide services for multiple specialties.) For instance, if you need your gall bladder removed, your doctor can quote you the cost for having it done at a tercer nivel hospital like Star Medica, or at a local clinic. We got a quote on gall bladder surgery (non-emergency) in late 2013. The prices quoted by the doctor were approximately $7,000 USD for the entire procedure at Star Medica, versus $5,000 USD for the procedure at a local clinic. Both surgeries would be done by the same doctor, just in two different places.

Our friend, a Yucatecan, went to a different doctor and was quoted a price of $20,000 pesos for the same surgery at a different clinic, with one overnight stay for recovery. We also have a friend who recently had a baby. Instead of going to a third or second level hospital, she chose to deliver her baby at a clinic that specializes in Obstetrics (Maria Jose, listed below), thus realizing significant savings. As an example, delivering a baby at Clinica Esperanza in 2013 cost approximately $15,000 pesos. At another similar clinic, $20,000 pesos. Compare that with the cost of delivering a baby at Star Medica, which is about $50,000 to $60,000 pesos.

While we have listed a few clinics, this is not a comprehensive list. Usually your doctor is associated with clinics where he or she can practice. If you choose to go the clinic route, your doctor can recommend the best clinic for your procedure.

Who Can Go?

You will notice that while some, like StarMedica and Clinica Merida, are private hospitals, many of the hospitals below are subsidized by the Mexican government. Of course, private hospitals accept anyone who can pay. While some expatriates living in the Yucatan have signed up for IMSS health insurance, others have either no insurance, insurance from their country of origin or expatriate private insurance. It is good to know that expatriates living or traveling in the Yucatan are eligible for all available medical services, though you will not enjoy the subsidized prices unless you are an IMSS member. If you are an expatriate who needs care, you can receive it. You are not required to have medical insurance, only to pay your bills. Though you do not receive subsidies, you will find that the prices are probably less than what you would pay out of pocket for the same services back home. Medicaid, Medicare, and private U.S. medical insurance are at this writing not accepted in Mexico.

Beatriz says,

The important thing about hospitals in Yucatan is whether it's private, public by IMSS or public by seguro popular. if it's IMSS or ISSSTE you must be a member to receive the services except for emergencies in which case you can be taken to any hospital to be stabilized. Public hospitals are usually crowded and you'll have to wait. A private hospital, like Clinica de Merida or Starmedica, will offer top quality, but all costs are out of pocket. If you have private insurance it will depend on your policy.

If you don't have IMSS, ISSTE, money or private insurance then you can still apply for seguro popular. If you have this state-subsidized health insurance, the service provider will treat you and payment is according to your financial situation; it can be free or a very low fee. For example, a private psychiatrist at starmedica would charge 800 pesos per visit. The same psychiatrist also works for the government at a public hospital. There he would charge you 70-200 pesos depending on your income (and assuming you have seguro popular). The appointment will typically be set 2-4 weeks from the time of request. The biggest problem with public clinics is the long wait to see a specialist.

A Wide Range of Choices

As with most things in Mexico, there are a range of choices. We submit this list for you so that you can be well-informed and make the best choice for you. If you have questions or experience with any of these hospitals, we welcome your Comments!

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List of Hospitals in Merida

Clinica de Merida

Phone: +52-999-942-1800Location: Centro MeridaAddress: Av. Itzáes No. 242, Colonia García Ginerés, MeridaEmail: clinmer@sureste.comLevels: Third Level HospitalServices : Blood Bank, Diabetes Education, Centre for Physiotherapy, Rehabilitation and Sports, Osteoporosis Center, Cardiovascular Diagnosis, Sensorineural Diagnosis, Dialysis and Hemodialysis, Electrodiagnostic, Tomographic scintigraphy, Clinical Laboratory, Extracorporeal lithotripsy, Hyperbaric Medicine, Nuclear Medicine, X -Ray, Ultrasound and Mammography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Ambulance Service, Helical Computed Tomography, Intensive Care Unit , Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, General Emergency, Pediatric Emergency, Vaccination Center.Comment: Clinica de Merida was originally started by a group of doctors as a small consortium (probably why it has "clinic" in its name...), and has grown to be a very comprehensive hospital and a mainstay of Merida medicine. For those of us who live in the centro, it has the closest Emergency facilities of a tercer nivel hospital. The hospital is familiar with dealing with the expatriate population, and many of the doctors speak English.Website: www.clinicademerida.com.mx/

Starmedica

Phone: +52-999-930-2880Location: North MeridaAddress: Calle 26 #199, por 15 y 7, Col. Altabrisa, MeridaLevels: Third Level HospitalServices : Emergency room, Surgery and rehabilitation, Tocosurgery(Surgery in Pregnancy), ICU and recovery, Nursery and neonatal intensive care, Blood bank, Imaging, Clinical Laboratory, Cardiology, Pathology, Endoscopy, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Interventional Radiology, Hemodialysis, Inhalotherapy, Cardiovascular Center.Comment: Star Medica is part of a national Mexican chain of hospitals, and is the newest, most modern private hospital in Merida. The top floors house offices of various specialists, and the bottom floors house the hospital itself. Hospital rooms are roomy, modern and some of them even include sitting rooms and TVs for the families that come to visit. We have one friend who had emergency surgery there who said that if it hadn't been for the surgery, it was one of the nicest hotels she ever stayed in. Star Medica also has a responsive Emergency Room with English-speaking doctors usually somewhere close by. This hospital is also becoming more familiar with expatriate clientele.Website: www.starmedica.com.mx

IMSS T-1 Ignacio García Tellez

Phone: +52-999-922-5656Location: MeridaAddress: Calle 34 x 41, Ex Terrenos "El Fénix"Levels: Third Level HospitalServices : All the services of a major third-level hospital.Comment: You have to be part of IMSS to use this hospital. All services are free for IMSS members. Depending on where you live in Merida, as an IMSS member, you will be assigned to either "T-1" hospital or Benito Juarez. If the specialist you need is not here, you will be sent to the other hospital.Website: Not available

IMSS- Hospital Benito Juarez

Phone: +52-999-925-0866Location: MeridaAddress: Av. Itzáes x Av, Colón s/n, Colonia García GinerésLevels: Third Level HospitalServices : All the services of a major third-level hospital.Comment: You have to be part of IMSS to use this hospital. All services are free for IMSS members. Depending on where you live in Merida, as an IMSS member, you will be assigned to either "T-1" hospital or Benito Juarez. If the specialist you need is not here, you will be sent to the other hospital.Website: Not available

Hospital General "Dr. Agustín O’Horan"

Phone: +52-999-930-3320Location: MeridaAddress: Av. Itzáes por Av. Jacinto Canek s/n, Colonia CentroLevels: Third Level HospitalServices : Blood Bank, Transplants, Hemodialysis, Hospitalization, Laboratory, Outpatient surgery, laboratory, Gynecology, Intensive Care, Infant Care, Emergency Adults, Pediatric Emergency.Comment: Founded in 1906 by Porfirio Díaz, this hospital has been a school for all doctors in Yucatan. It is a hospital run by the government and takes people from first and second level hospitals from around Yucatan State. Services are subsidized if you are part of Seguro Popular. It is a teaching hospital and also has been the site of donations of time and money from visiting doctors from University of Michigan. This article is just one example of the programs between the two. Because of its strong history in the area, it runs many government programs. So for example, when Working Gringa needed rabies shots (from a dog bite), she was sent to O'Horan where the shots were recorded as part of a government tracking program, and administered for free.Website: http://horan.yucatan.gob.mx/wp/

Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad

Phone: +52-999-942-7600Location: North MeridaAddress: Calle 7, No. 433 por 20 y 22, Fracc. AltabrisaLevels: Third Level HospitalServices : Cardiovascular and neumonology, neuroscience, hematology and oncology, intensive care for adults and children, internal medicine, nefrology, transplants, blood bank, laboratory.Comment: This highly specialized hospital is run by the Mexican government and services are subsidized if you are part of Seguro Popular.Website: http://www.hraeyucatan.salud.gob.mx/

Hospital De la Amistad Corea-Mexico

Phone: +52-999-168-7067Location: South MeridaAddress: Calle 60 Sur S/N San José Tecoh por Anillo Periférico, San José TecohLevels: Third Level HospitalServices : Children's HospitalComment: This hospital is run by the Mexican government and services are subsidized if you are part of Seguro Popular. It was built with a $1 million dollar donation from the South Korean government in honor of the 100th anniversary of the arrival of Koreans to the Yucatan.Website: N/A

General Hospital de Valladolid

Phone: +52-985-856-2883Location: ValladolidAddress: Avenue Poligono ChanyodzonotLevels: Second Level HospitalServices : Ambulances, 60 beds, Blood laboratory, pharmacy, general surgery, internal medicine, gynecology and obstetrics, pediatrics, orthopedics, anesthesiology, nutrition, physical therapy, psychiatry, psychology, and radiology. Read more in our article about the newHospital in Valladolid.Comment: This hospital is run by the Mexican government and services are subsidized if you are part of Seguro Popular.Website: N/A

Maria Jose Clinic for Mothers and Babies

Comments

Working Gringos3 years ago

George, there are many people working to get Medicare accepted in Mexico, but so far it is not the case. There is a state-sponsored insurance program called IMSS that many expats qualify for and it costs about $300 to $400 USD per year per person. You can also buy expatriate medical insurance which insures you anywhere in the world.

Is there health insurance in Mexico that you would pay on a monthly basis? If i move to Merida, my wife and I lose Medicare insurance. Do you have any idea if Mexico will ever accept Medicare insurance?

OK, I have been corrected on this by my amazing assistant, Beatriz. IMSS is for people who pay for the service or whose employer pays, provided by the Mexican Government. Seguro Popular is for people who do not have insurance, either paid or through their employer, and it too is provided by the Mexican government. In Merida, people wanting services through Seguro Popular would go to a hospital like O'Horan where those services are provided.

The tier or level system only refers to the range of services offered by each facility. It does not infer the quality of the services provided. The hospital or facility is only as good as its staff, not necessarily the physician. Any person utilizing any services needs to do their homework/research and seek information based on experiences and not the PR that each facility churns out.

Cherie, we got the information from Star Medica's and Clinica de Merida's own websites. Perhaps Clinica de Merida has more services... honestly, I wouldn't be surprised. Star Medica is newer and is a chain, whereas Clinica de Merida is operated by a group of local doctors. Or perhaps Star Medica just needs a better website ;-)

I'm curious how the listed services for each hospital were determined specifically for Star Medica and Clinica de Merida. If one only read the services between the two, one could assume that Clinica de Merida offers more which may not be an accurate statement. Perhaps whomever supplied the information was more detailed at Clinica than Star Medica. Of course Star Medica has MRI, ultrasound, mammography, lithotripsy, Computed Tomography and more. Perhaps the text should be updated for Star Medica.

Patt, you could call an opthalmologist directly or go to a specialized eye clinic in Merida. We recommend... www.retimediq.com/. Ask to see Dr Ermilo Sanchez Buenfil. Phone: 999-254-4245. Let us know how it goes!

Article very informative! I have been to a doctor at Star Medical although not hospitalized. I now need to be seen by a retina specialist although an ophthalmologist would be the first step I think (based on USA experience of sending you through steps of doctors and tests first). Would I need to call around to the hospitals to find such a doctor or do you think there is a centralized service to ask such?